noun
medicine; pharmaceutical; drug
General term for medicinal substances: pills, ointments, and other pharmaceuticals. Can refer to both prescription and over-the-counter products.
風邪をひいたので、薬を飲んだ。
I caught a cold, so I took some medicine.
この薬は一日三回
Please take this medicine three times a day after meals.
noun
chemical agent; efficacious substance
Refers to chemicals with a specific effect, such as gunpowder, pesticides, or other functional compounds. Often used in compound words.
火薬は薬の一種とも言える。
Gunpowder can be considered a kind of chemical agent.
この殺虫剤は強力な薬を使っている。
This insecticide uses a powerful chemical.
noun
glaze; pottery glaze
Specialized term in pottery for the glassy coating applied to ceramics.
この茶碗の薬は美しい青色をしている。
The glaze on this tea bowl is a beautiful blue color.
noun
illegal drug; narcotic
Specifically refers to illicit substances. Often written in katakana as クスリ in this sense.
See also: 薬 (やく)
彼はクスリに手を出して捕まった。
He got involved with drugs and was arrested.
noun
small bribe; sweetener
Figurative use meaning a small bribe or inducement. Often appears in the phrase 鼻薬 (はなぐすり), literally 'nose medicine', meaning a bribe.
See also: 鼻薬
役人に鼻薬を嗅がせて許可をもらったらしい。
It seems he got permission by giving the official a small bribe.